John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I was delighted to see the Deputy on Monday in Navan. Anybody who met the county chief executive, Ms Jackie Maguire, and Mr. Hugh Reilly, the LEO chief operating officer, would know they do not need much training. I was very impressed with the efficiency with which the launch was made and the team working in the LEO office. It is a fantastic facility in Navan, including an incubation unit with business supports. If Meath is an example of the service that will be seen around the country, I will be very happy. Coming from Meath and seeing what he did on Monday, the Deputy should have no concern about the operation or capability of the staff in Meath.

A comprehensive programme of training for all LEO staff has been put in place. This includes training in the area of entrepreneurship and enterprise, agency and local authority services at local level, revenue supports and change management. Ongoing training throughout 2014 is also planned across a range of service level issues. The new LEOs operating with local authorities are the first-stop shop through which all information on State supports for small and micro-businesses can initially be accessed, and this represents a significant and ambitious transformation of the support structure for enterprises across every county. The LEO staff cohort is composed of both former county enterprise board staff and local authority staff to ensure a totality in the service provided to LEO clients.

The service level agreement between Enterprise Ireland, whose representatives were in Navan on Monday, and the local authorities provides for Enterprise Ireland to support the developmental needs of LEO staff. In his first question the Deputy asked about us depending too much on foreign direct investment. We now have the tools to support indigenous small companies. Enterprise Ireland has a very clear mandate in promoting high-potential start-up companies and emerging and indigenous Irish companies.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House

In this regard, Enterprise Ireland has already begun, in collaboration with the local authorities, to deliver training to all LEO staff. A training and development plan for LEO staff was scoped in advance of the establishment of the LEOs, and all local authority staff designated to join the LEO were invited to attend a one-day information day, which was attended by staff and senior personnel from the new LEOs and other stakeholders. Topics included entrepreneurship, enterprise at local level and delivering excellence in customer service. In addition, presenters covered general areas such as the role of Enterprise Ireland and the centre of excellence, LEO brand management and communication protocols, enterprise support services and local authority business development services, as well as partnership with other agencies such as the Revenue Commissioners and Microfinance Ireland, where new protocols have recently been developed. As a follow-up, the Revenue Commissioners provided a one-day tailored programme for LEO staff.

The training programme is continuing, with two change management programmes about to commence for LEO staff of all levels to ensure they are equipped to meet new challenges. In addition, a customer engagement and services training day has been scheduled to commence in September. This will be an interactive one-day workshop for all staff. The aim of this programme is to develop both core customer service skills and behaviours within the LEO that are conducive to achieving the LEO mission and purpose.

See this speech in context